Anchor for holding measuring lines



Sept. 30, 1958 J. H. RAIFSNIDER 2,853,785

ANCHOR FOR HOLDING MEASURING LINES Filed Oct. 4, 1956 INVENTOR. JOHN H. RAIFSNIDER ATTORNEYS United States Patent ANCHOR FOR HOLDING lVIEASURING LINES John H. Raifsnider, Eugene, 0reg., assignor of fifty-one percent to Budd W. Andrus, Eugene, Greg.

Application October 4, 1956, Serial No. 614,022 4 Claims. c1. 33-437 This invention relates to anchors for holding measuring lines, and is particularly adapted for use by police oflicers in the platting and orientating of an accident location in regards to the center line and intersection of streets or highways.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a relatively heavy anchor adapted to be set on street surfaces to receive and hold the end of a tape line while measuring the distance from where an accident occurs on the street or highway to a given point. Heretofore, it required at least two people to make these measurements; one had to hold the end of the line while the other had to measure the distance; but with this device the same is set at a given point, the end of the line hooked on to the same, after which the officer can measure from this point to the point of accident. This invention performs a very important function, especially where there is only one officer on the scene of the accident. In the event two officers are at the scene it releases the extra man to direct or control traflic.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described above having means for holding signal flares upright on a road, highway, or at the scene of an accident.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in the light of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my new and improved anchor for holding the end of measuring lines.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a street or highway, illustrating the anchor holding the end of a tape line, together with a signal flare.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated illustrating the invention on side elevation.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference character A indicates generally the invention for holding measuring lines.

The anchor A for holding measuring lines consists of a heavy body preferably formed in the shape of a block, having feet 11 at eachcorner for supporting the same on the road surface, preventing movement of the anchor A due to uneven surfaces or the like.

The block 10 has a handle 12, which is embedded therein, and extending upwardly therefrom to be grasped by the user of the device. Pivotally secured to the central portion of the upper surface 13 of the block 10 is a hook 14. The hook 14 is secured to the upper surface 13 of the anchor A by the pivot pin 15, permitting the hook 14 to rotate therearound adapting the hook 14 to any angle from which the measurements are to be taken.

The usual measuring tape line T is adapted to have its terminal loop 16 hooked over the book 14, as best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Holes 17 are provided in the forward corners of the device arranged in outwardly and upwardly sloping position and are adaptedto hold the stems 18 of flares 19.

Vertical V-grooves 20 are formed on all sides of the anchor A and provide a means of aligning the block 10 with the center line L on the street or highway. Degree marks 21 are provided on the upper surface of the anchor A and are adapted to coincide with the angle to which the tape line T extends from the markings on the street so that the angle of the point of accident from a given point can be determined and recorded on the officers plat and report.

The mode of operation of this new and improved nchor A for measuring lines will now be described. The anchor A is placed on the marking line L on the street or highway, the grooves 20 being aligned with the marking line L so as to square the block 10 thereon.

Where flares 19 are used, their stems 18 are entered into the holes 17 on the corner of the block, providing a solid support for the flares 19 in their operation.

The operator then applies the terminal end 16 of the tape T over the hook 14, moving towards the point to be measured and located, such as a wrecked vehicle. He can move in any direction from the anchor A and he can read the degree of angle of the wrecked vehicle from the marking line, as for instance the center line of a highway or from the intersection of the street directly from the anchor A.

It can be readily understood how accurately and easily the position of a Wrecked vehicle can be established with regard to the center of the street intersection, or from any object providing a landmark from where the measurements are being taken, all by one operator.

When the anchors A are not being used, they are easily stored within the officers vehicle, and are readily available for instant use.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An anchor block for measuring lines comprising a generally rectangular block formed of relatively heavy material, a plurality of legs supporting said block, a hook positioned centrally of the upper surface of said block, means pivotally securing said hook to said block, and a handle embedded in said block and extending thereabove,

said block having side faces with each of said side faces' having a vertically extending alignment groove formed therein.

2. An anchor block for measuring lines comprising a generally rectangular block formed of relatively heavy material, a plurality of legs supporting said block, a hook positioned centrally of the upper surface of said block, a pin extending through said hook and embedded in said block pivotally securing said hook to said block, and a handle embedded in said block and extending thereabove.

3. An anchor block for measuring lines comprising a body formed of relatively heavy material, said body having an upper surface and a plurality of side faces, a hook positioned centrally of the upper surface of said block, a pin extending through said hook and embedded in said block pivotally securing said hook to said block, and a handle embedded in said block and extending thereabove, said side faces each having a vertically extending alignment groove formed therein.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said body is provided with a plurality of angularly extending bores for supporting the lower ends of signal flares therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Adrien Apr. 16, 1957 

